Percutaneous transhepatic portography for obliteration of gastroesophageal varices in partial and total portal vein occlusion.

The obliteration of gastroesophageal varices was attempted with percutaneous transhepatic portography in seven patients who had partial and total portal vein occlusion. The procedure was successful and stopped variceal bleeding in three patients. In three cases only portography was performed, and in another patient the examination was not possible. The possibilities of this new treatment for bleeding in portal vein thrombosis are discussed and the problems encountered in performing the examination are presented.